Sewer, drain and water line help for homeowners
Most homeowners only think about the sewer line when something goes wrong, and then everything feels urgent. We slow it down: look inside the pipe, show you what is there, and give you the fix that fits your house and your budget.
What homeowners ask us first
- 01
What is going to happen to my yard?
We use small access pits whenever the pipe allows it. When a trench is the only real fix, we tell you before we start, and we backfill, grade and seed or sod when the work is done. - 02
How long will we be without water or a toilet?
Most drain and inspection visits do not interrupt anything. For line repairs we tell you ahead of time when the water or sewer will be off and for about how long, so you can plan around it. - 03
Will the price change halfway through?
You get a written estimate after we have looked inside the line. It says what we are doing and what could change once the ground is open, so a surprise is the exception, not the plan. - 04
Is someone going to track mud through my house?
We work from outside cleanouts whenever we can. When we do come in, we protect floors around the work area and clean up before we go. - 05
Do I really need this, or am I being upsold?
You see the camera footage yourself. If the fix is a cleaning, we say so. If it is one spot, we say that too. A full replacement is only on the table when the pipe is actually done.
What we do for homes
- Drain CleaningSlow sinks, backed up tubs and a main line that keeps clogging.
- Sewer Video InspectionWe run a camera down the line and show you exactly what is wrong.
- Hydro JettingHigh pressure water that scours out grease, sludge and roots.
- Pipe DescalingGrinds rust and scale out of old cast iron so it flows like new.
- Sewer Line Repair and ReplacementSpot repairs, full replacement and help choosing the right fix.
- Trenchless Sewer RepairNew pipe through small access pits, so your lawn stays put.
- Water Line Repair and ReplacementLeaks, low pressure and old service lines from street to house.
Buying or selling a house?
The sewer lateral is one of the few big ticket items a home inspection usually skips. It is underground, it is out of sight, and a failing one can cost more than a new roof to fix.
If you are buying, a camera inspection before closing tells you what you are getting. If the line has roots at every joint or a section has sagged, that is information you can take back to the negotiation. If it looks good, you can stop worrying about it.
If you are selling, knowing the condition of your line ahead of time means no surprises when the buyer's inspector asks about it.
Older homes need a little more care
Houses built before the 1980s often still have their original drain and sewer pipe: clay tile outside, cast iron inside. Clay joints let roots in. Cast iron rusts and scales from the inside until the pipe is half its original size.
Neither one has to mean tearing the house apart. Cast iron can often be descaled and lined in place, and clay laterals are good candidates for trenchless lining. The camera tells us which approach fits.
Homeowner questions
In most of Montgomery and Prince George's counties, the homeowner is responsible for the lateral between the house and the connection at the public main. Where exactly that line falls varies, and we can help you find it on your property.
For older homes especially, yes. A standard home inspection does not look inside the sewer lateral. A camera inspection before closing shows whether you are buying a line with years left or a repair you will pay for next spring.
Often. Many sewer lines can be lined or burst through small pits, and many water lines can be replaced by digging only at the two ends. Collapsed pipes and deep sags are the main exceptions.
Yes. Financing is available so a line repair does not have to wait for a better month. Ask about it when we give you the estimate.
Stop using water in the house, keep people and pets away from it, and call us. Do not try to push it back down the drain.
Tell us what is happening at your house
Backups and broken lines get worse the longer water runs. Call us and tell us what you are seeing. We will tell you what to do right now and what it will take to fix it.
Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Free estimates on every job.